Trump signs cattle-focused orders addressing MCOOL, meat processing and market competition
Trump signs cattle-focused orders addressing MCOOL, meat processing and market competition
September 4th, 2026 | RRN Staff
President Donald Trump signed two executive orders Friday afternoon aimed at the U.S. cattle industry, directing federal agencies to examine mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef, expand meat processing opportunities and step up enforcement of federal livestock market competition laws.
The actions also call for a review of protections for gray wolves and broader federal policies affecting ranchers.
The White House announced the measures as the U.S. cattle herd remains at its lowest level in 75 years and beef prices remain elevated. The administration says consumer demand for beef has increased nearly 10% over the past decade.
One of the most notable provisions for cattle producers involves mandatory country-of-origin labeling, commonly known as MCOOL.
Trump directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the U.S. trade representative, to review within 90 days the government’s authority to establish mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef.
The order does not immediately reinstate MCOOL.
Instead, USDA is directed to identify existing statutory and regulatory authority that could allow mandatory labeling and conduct an economic analysis of its potential impacts. Following that review, USDA could pursue regulations if permitted under existing law or the administration could recommend legislation to Congress.
Mandatory country-of-origin labeling requirements for beef and pork were repealed by Congress in 2015.
The administration has previously tightened voluntary “Product of USA” labeling rules. Under the current standard, meat carrying a voluntary “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” claim must come from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States.
Meat processing and competition
A separate executive order signed Friday focuses on competition in livestock markets and expanding processing opportunities for producers.
Trump directed USDA to increase investigations of potential violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act, including unfair or deceptive practices, unreasonable preferences, restraints on commerce and price manipulation.
The order calls for additional staffing and investigative capacity within USDA and greater coordination with the Department of Justice on potential antitrust cases.
USDA has 60 days to report to the president on current enforcement actions, resource needs and plans for increased enforcement during the coming year.
The order also directs USDA to work toward expanding interstate market access for meat products.
That includes increasing participation in federal-state cooperative meat inspection programs, providing technical assistance to small processors and identifying regulatory or statutory barriers preventing additional state-inspected products from being sold across state lines.
The order does not immediately authorize all state-inspected or custom-exempt meat to be sold across state lines. USDA has been directed to identify the legal barriers to doing so and make recommendations within 60 days.
The administration also called for modernizing meat inspection requirements and removing reporting or other requirements that USDA determines do not advance essential food safety needs.
Trump also directed USDA to take steps toward establishing a guaranteed loan program for small and regional beef processors.
“Today I’m thrilled to announce that my administration is taking historic action to help our great American cattle ranchers and deliver American meat processed to the highest standard,” Trump said during an Oval Office meeting with ranchers Friday.
Wolf protections also under review
Trump’s ranching order also directs Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to determine within 90 days whether gray wolves have met recovery criteria for delisting or downlisting under the Endangered Species Act.
If Burgum determines the recovery criteria have been met, the order directs the Interior Department to begin that process.
Federal officials are also directed to examine changes to livestock depredation compensation programs and standards governing the lethal removal of wolves threatening livestock or human safety.
Actions follow increase in beef imports
Friday’s orders come shortly after Trump moved to temporarily increase imports of lean beef trimmings as the administration attempts to address tight U.S. beef supplies and high consumer prices.
On Aug. 26, Trump increased the amount of certain lean beef trimmings eligible for the lower tariff rate under the U.S. beef tariff-rate quota by 300,000 metric tons for 2026.
The additional quota is being made available in three 100,000-metric-ton tranches from Sept. 1 through Nov. 30.
The White House said the temporary increase is intended to add supplies used primarily in ground beef production while the domestic cattle herd remains historically small.
Friday’s executive orders shift part of the administration’s focus toward domestic production, processing capacity and cattle producer market access.
Federal agencies now face several deadlines under the orders. USDA has 60 days to report on Packers and Stockyards Act enforcement and interstate meat processing barriers, while the MCOOL, wolf and broader ranching policy reviews are due within 90 days.
Source: Trump signs cattle-focused orders addressing MCOOL, meat processing and market competition